Chapter 6 – Four Years Old

In the middle of the summer seasons in the village of Rotherhithe.

Currently Millie and Ender walking holding hands in the village towards the local blacksmith store. Why you may ask? The reason is because Ender's birthday is today and what he wants is a sword. Will he get a real one? No, absolutely not as long as Millie is his mother and Ender is 4. However a wooden sword is okay.

Ender has been asking for a sword since he was 3 and saw he father Ralph swinging his sword outside for practice.

Was Ralph any good with his sword? Nope. Ralph though he is big and muscular was not an adventurer but a farmer with a big build and small amount of ether in his body.

Why does he have a sword? When Ender asked Ralph this he answered back, "To protect you and Millie. The world is not safe so I swing this sword when I have the chance to be strong."

Ender had great admiration for his father because of his answer. Ender thought to himself that he should help his dad when he can so he could become stronger.

The Blacksmith store was not far from where they lived due the village being relatively small. As they walked towards the mother-child duo passed by other houses. In one of houses, a boy was outside playing with another neighbor's daughter while the two mothers were outside talking to each other.

"Ender come over and play! With you we will be able to play monsters and adventures!" A Red Haired boy that looked around the same age as Ender was waving running over. The young girl was also following behind out of breath. The young girl had blonde hair and blue eyes was looking at Ender with a pitiful eyes nearly begging Ender to come for support.

These two children could be considered as Ender's childhood friends. The young boy is Percy Suireheart that is identifiable by his red hair with orange eyes. Percy is an energetic boy that always drags Ender everywhere he can so he could go his 'adventures'.

The young girl with the puppy dog eyes at the moment is Alice Sherris. Alice is usually quiet but like Ender is dragged around by Percy. Thought Alice is get tired quickly she actually always end up laughing while they play.

"Sorry Percy and Alice. Today's my birthday and mom and I are on the way to the blacksmith shop to pick up wooden sword for my present." Ender smiled why replying.

Percy had a dumbfounded face for a second before saying, "That's not fair. I want a wooden sword and not have to use a stick anymore. Mom! I want a wooden sword too!"

Percy's mother admonished him, "Percy you are not 4 year old yet. You have another month we will consider it then." Her thoughts were thinking 'If this boy gets sword who knows what trouble he will get into'.

"Percy don't run around to much and take care of Alice when your playing. Percy you could wait a month then we could play with our wooden swords. I will come play another day. Mom lets go please." Ender advised Percy before leaving with Millie.

An ecstatic face was on Percy as he replied back, "One month from now I will definitely challenge you."

As they were leaving Millie was chuckling to herself, "Fufufufu. Alice, Percy, and you seem to be good friends. I am so glad I made those playdates when you were young."

A strained smile was on Ender face as cold sweat dripped down his back. Fixing his face he hugged his mom before agreeing. "Yeah mom, lets hurry to the blacksmith shop before it closes." Ender started dragging Mille forward as if he could arrive there one minute faster.

"Ender there is no need to hurry. The blacksmith shop won't close until the evening." Millie started laughing as she slowly moved forward.

After another 15 or so minutes of walking the duo arrived at the local blacksmith shop. The blacksmith shop in reality is commonly used for the village's farm tools. Weapons were not made regularly unless asked to be specially made.

When Millie and Ender arrived there was snoring that could be heard from inside. Millie knocked on the door while asked, "Old Milton can we come in?" However the only reply was more snoring. Smiling at Ender laughed a little. This time Millie knocked with more force enough to wake the dead, "Old Milton can we come in!?"

Clank, Clunk, "Aaahh. Ouch."

After a minute, a man with gray hair and ragged beard opened the door. With a red bump on his head Old Milton looked at Millie before grumbling, "Little lass Millie you have not changed since you were young with violent streak. Whatcha here for?"

A glare that could scare death was pointed at Old Milton before replying, "Don't you remember I ordered a wooden sword for my son's birthday?"

Old Milton could feel that if he answered wrong a volcano was about to erupt if he did not answer correctly. "Right, right, right. You did order that but you did not specify how big or heavy to make it so I made a few. I heard some other kids are getting to that age too so a few extras won't go bad. Follow me."

Millie and Ender followed Old Milton inside where soot could be seen around. In a corner laid a couple wooden swords of different sizes. Old Milton pointed at the pile and lazily groaned, "That's the pile go choose one."

Ender walked forward and started looking through the pile. But stopped to ask Old Milton, "Is there any made of a wood that is heavy that around my size?"

Old Milton thought for a while before nodding, "Yeah kid there is one. Let me see." Walking forth he picked through the pile to pick a wooden sword. Handing the wooden sword over Old Milton started explaining, "This is from a local wood that does not show up much called Iron tree. The wood is naturally heavy kid. Why you want this?"

Ender gave a random reply, "Well if I could use a heavy sword I should be able to use a lighter sword with easy right?"

Old Milton chuckled not saying anything wrong with it. "Suit yourself Kid. If you change your mind and decide to get a new sword it will still cost you."

Millie tried to convince Ender against his idea, "I think you should get a lighter sword so you don't strain yourself."

However Ender just shook his head, "I want this sword."

Sighing Millie just smiled before agreeing. She turned to Old Milton to thank him and suggested not to sleep all day. Old Milton just grumbled before seeing them out.

Once Millie and Ender was far enough Millie started laughing a bit. Ender looked at Millie confused before she explained, "Old Milton was happy to make those swords. His wife died young not having children so he treasures all the children of the village a lot. He probably made all those swords worried that none would fit you." A look of understand flashed upon Ender as he looked back and thanked Old Milton in his heart.

It did not take long until Millie and Ender arrived home. Since it was Ender's birthday he made a request to train with his dad, Ralph, when he had some time on the following days. Ralph chuckled as he readily agreed